Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust
  • Latest news

    13 Jul 2026

    Geoff’s birthday treats!

    We recently celebrated a special birthday of Geoff Davis, in a place that is close to his heart: the East Devon coast.He treated us to his knowledge of the geology and landslide systems in the area, and we treated him to an ice cream on the beach!

    Geoff’s birthday treats!
    Geoff’s birthday treats!
  • Recent projects

    Radon Protection General Requirements

    Although outside the scope of services usually provided, Ruddlesden geotechnical were able to help with a recent enquiry from a private individual. Whilst the details would need to be designed by a suitably qualified engineer, Ruddlesden were able to confirm the general principles of radon protection in ground floor slab construction, with reference to BRE Report BR211 (2023 edition): Radon: Guidance on Protective Measures for New Buildings (including supplementary advice for extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects). All staff are very familiar with this document as, given the company’s location in southwest England, where elevated levels of naturally occurring radon are commonly present, due the underlying geology, almost all geotechnical and contamination reports include a radon assessment.

    BR 211 Radon Protection Measures
  • Recent projects

    Ground Improvement, Shropshire

    To inform the design of an embankment for a proposed highway, as part of the residential redevelopment of a site in Shropshire, Ruddlesden geotechnical were instructed to undertake a geotechnical investigation and assessment. The geotechnical investigation comprised cable percussive boreholes, which encountered a succession of Alluvial soils, including peat, silt and clay to depths in excess of 10m depth. Analyses indicated that the surcharge of the embankment would consolidate the underlying soils by virtue of their low strength, which would likely affect the serviceability of the proposed highway. It was also considered that there would be an insufficient factor of safety on the global stability of the embankment. Ruddlesden geotechnical proposed that ground improvement be undertaken, for example by pre-surcharging the ground and installing drainage, to speed-up the consolidation of the underlying Alluvial soils, to reduce the amount of anticipated settlement in the long term to acceptable levels.

    46-ground-improvement-reduced-1